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Canada Offers Condolences Following Philippines Floods

(No. 279 - September 28, 2009 - 7:15 p.m. EDT) The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today offered Canada’s condolences to the people of the Philippines following Tropical Storm Ketsana, which caused widespread flooding, loss of life and extensive damage after striking the Philippines on Saturday.

"On behalf of all Canadians, I offer condolences to those who have lost friends or family members in this tragic natural disaster,” said Minister Cannon.

"To date, we have no reports of Canadian deaths or injuries due to the floods. Canadian officials in Ottawa and at the Embassy of Canada in Manila remain in close contact with local authorities and humanitarian partners in the affected areas, and are actively monitoring and assessing the impact of the flooding to determine the appropriate response by Canada."

Canadians in the affected areas who require emergency consular assistance should contact the Canadian Embassy in Manila at 63 (2) 857-9000 or 857-9001. Alternatively, they may call Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Emergency Operations Centre collect at 613-996-8885. They may also send an email to sos@international.gc.ca.

Friends and relatives in Canada seeking information on Canadian citizens believed to be in the affected areas should contact the Emergency Operations Centre at 1-800-387-3124; those in Ottawa should dial 613-943-1055. They may also send an email to the address above.

For up-to-date information, consult Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s travel report for the Philippines.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Natalie SarafianPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister of Foreign Affairs613-995-1851